Author

Research Analyst - Africa Growth Initiative

On Thursday, unions rejected the government’s proposal for a 10 percent raise starting in April. Addressing the rejected offer, the Zimbabwe Teachers Association president noted, “The expectation was that there would be a cost-of-living adjustment commensurate with inflation with immediate effect.” The currency crisis has caused inflation to soar, hitting 31 percent in November, a 10-year high. The currency crisis has also exacerbated a fuel shortage with black market prices for petrol reaching $5 per liter compared to the market price of $1.40.

Failed Coup Attempt in Gabon

On Monday, an attempted coup was quickly quashed in Gabon. Staged in Libreville, the coup was motivated by the absence of President Ali Bongo Ondimba who has been in Morocco since October receiving medical treatment. The episode began early in the morning, when songs from the campaign of Jean Ping, Mr. Bongo’s chief opponent in the 2016 presidential election, were broadcast over national radio. When authorities called the station, Lt. Kelly Ondo Obiang, leader of the self-declared Patriotic Movement of the Defense and Security Forces of Gabon, answered and announced a coup would follow shortly. According to reports, the coup plotters were low-ranking military officers.